Farmingdale’s JFI Jets bulks up fleet

October 5, 2015

JFI Jets, a private jet charter, aircraft management and maintenance company with operations in Farmingdale, has acquired Florida-based ACP Jets, the operator of a fleet of Hawker, Citation and Gulfstream jets, as well as aircraft repair facilities.

The combined firm will be able to offer aircraft management, hangar space, charter and maintenance services in the nation’s three busiest private jet markets: New York Metro, Southern California and South Florida. Upon full FAA integration, it will operate and manage a combined fleet of 17 midsize and heavy charter jets.

“By merging these two industry-leading companies, we will be the only provider with facilities, aircraft, maintenance and sales offices in the top three U.S. markets for private aviation,” JFI CEO Robert Seidel said. “I am proud our company will be led by two of the most respected and capable executives in the industry: JFI President David Rimmer and ACP co-founder and President Suran Wijayawardana, who will join us as chief operating officer. They will lead an extremely dedicated team of private aviation professionals.”

In August, JFI announced that it had launched charter service to Cuba for about $40,000 per nine-passenger trip. Rimmer was named JFI president in January after having served in the same position at Ronkonkoma-based ExcelAire.